Comparing Walmart+, Amazon Prime

Membership has its differences

With many shoppers looking to make fewer trips into stores amid the coronavirus pandemic, on- demand grocery shopping has been growing in popularity.

Walmart, which has seen tremendous growth in digital sales, is now planning to expand on a pilot of its Delivery Unlimited program with the new Walmart+ membership program that launches Sept. 15 and offers delivery as fast as same- day, an easier store checkout and a fuel discount.

The retailer’s subscription program will cost $ 98 a year, compared with $ 119 a year for Amazon Prime, which launched in 2005 and offers perks including streaming television and movies, unlimited photo storage and discounts at Whole Foods Market stores.

But how does Walmart+ compare? Here’s a rundown of the options.

Amazon Prime

Cost: $ 119 a year or $ 12.99 per month. A 30- day free trial is available.

Benefits: Free two- day shipping on millions of items with no minimum purchase and other benefits, including streaming of television shows and movies, discounts at Whole Foods Market, free unlimited photo storage and more. For grocery delivery with Whole Foods, a $ 35 order typically is needed.

Walmart+

Cost: Launching Sept. 15. $ 98 a year or $ 12.95 per month. A 15- day trial is available.

Benefits: Unlimited free delivery from stores ( on orders $ 35 or more) on more than 160,000 items from groceries, household essentials to tech and toys, a new Scan & Go feature for in- store shopping and a fuel discount of up to 5 cents a gallon at nearly 2,000 Walmart, Murphy USA and Murphy Express fuel stations.

Instacart

Cost: $ 99 a year or $ 9.99 per month

Benefits: Unlimited free deliveries on orders over $ 35, reduced service fees, no “busy pricing fees during peak delivery hours” and the ability to shop at “a variety of stores with free delivery on the entire order.”

Participating retailers: Varies by region, but includes national and regional retailers such as Albertsons, Aldi, Costco, CVS, Kroger, Publix, Sam’s Club, Sprouts, Wegmans, 7- Eleven, Big Lots, Total Wine and more.

Shipt

Cost: $ 99 a year. Shipt offers a fourweek trial when signing up through Target. com and recently added the option to purchase “Shipt passes for one, three or five Shipt shops for $ 10, $ 9 or $ 8 per delivery, respectively.”

Benefits: Free delivery on orders $ 35 or more, which in some markets also includes alcohol orders. Orders under $ 35 as well as alcohol orders from select retailers are subject to a $ 7 delivery fee.

Participating retailers: Varies by region, but includes Target, Publix, Meijer, Kroger, H- E- B, WinnDixie, Petco, Office Depot and BC Fine Wine & Spirits.

DoorDash DashPass

Cost: $ 9.99 a month Benefits: With DashPass, get unlimited free delivery fees and reduced service fees when you spend more than $ 12.

Participating retailers: Varies by region, but includes Casey’s, 7- Eleven, Circle K, Wawa, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Smart & Final, Meijer and Fresh Thyme. More stores are coming soon.